THE RUNNING
MANN the running mann by STUART MANN
Size Does Matter
I normally get my running fix from running marathons and ultras , but due to an injury , I have not done much running of late . Instead , I ’ ve had plenty of time to run statistics and delve into the wonderful world of long distance running , and this month , the best ultra-marathon runner in the world helps explain why size matters .
The question “ Does size matter ?” is probably the male equivalent to , “ Does my bum look big in these pants ?” And if you have to ask either question , it ’ s highly likely that you don ’ t really want an honest answer . Size always matters – no surprise there – but , in this article anyway , it ’ s probably not quite in the way that you think . As for potentially the more controversial part of the intro above , i . e . who is the best ultra-marathon runner in the world , I am going to make a case for American Camille Herron .
She currently holds no less than nine ultra-marathon World Records and World Bests . She is also the only person ever to win all three of the IAU ’ s ultra-distance World Championship titles ( 50km , 100km and 24-hours ). Rightly or wrongly , in South Africa you are only considered a ‘ real runner ’ once you ’ ve completed the Comrades Marathon , and taking this conviction one step further , only someone who has won the Comrades can lay claim to being the planet ’ s best ultra-runner . Camille checks this box with her 2017 victory .
This is an impressive set of achievements , but what cements Camille ’ s name at the top of my all-time list is that she drinks beer as part of her in-race nutrition plan . Yes , this is a woman who is able to drink beer and break World Records at the same time ! That , for me , is the ultimate realisation of self-actualisation . Amateurs participate in the beer mile , the truly elite break World Records on beer in 100 milers !
Camille Herron became eligible for the title of “ Best Ultra Marathon Runner in the World ” after winning the 2017 Comrades
Aside : After her 2017 Comrades victory , I asked Camille whether beer formed part of her race day nutrition ( it did ) and which brand of beer could claim credit for her triumph . The answer was , “ Two bottles of Jack Black Lager .” As a passionate consumer of quality beer , I naturally included two bottles of Jack Black Lager amongst my energy gels for my next Comrades . Fourways Road Runners have a number of support tables along the route , and as you can see from the photo below , I stopped for a delightful beer break at Camperdown ( around the 65km mark ). Although I thoroughly enjoyed the beer , I don ’ t think it did anything for my finish time !
The author enjoying a Jack Black Lager at the Fourways support table in Camperdown during the 2019 Comrades
Camille fuels up with beer on her way to another recordbreaking finish
Images : Action Photo SA , Stuart Mann & courtesy Camille Herron , Shaun Meiklejohn , Barry Holland
18 ISSUE 157 | www . modernathlete . co . za